The church in Ville de Reidy is a jewel. This is mainly because of the small extension at the front side, which houses the new altar of Mary. Although the church itself has the same design as most of the churches in the Alsace, the white plastered extension has high gothic windows which throw a mysterious light over the quiet interior. Father Hanz Herbolz is a devout man, who rarely partakes in life’s little pleasures. But there is one pleasure that he does allow himself: once a week he gives his housekeeper a day off and orders "pâté de fois gras" at restaurant "Chez Gwendoline".

He traditionally drinks a whole bottle of Gewurzstramiener with this meal. But otherwise "le pére" Hanz Herbolz is a model pastor, who also manages to transform the church into something out of a fairytale for the midnight mass each year at Christmas. For weeks at a time he rehearses with the children’s choir, which consists of Martin Jonas from the restaurant, Lea, Emma and Sarah daughters of "Le docteur", the four children of Vincent and Marjorie Forbach from the dairy farm, and Laurine Bayon from "Hotel de Ville", until on Christmas eve they fill the little church with a waterfall of pure sounds, the high tones of "Noël" moving the hearts of the entire congregation.

Because the Alsace has always been a bit German and a bit French, he is able to get the best out of the songs in both languages and create a harmonious compilation. The midnight mass has therefore become an annual high point, which is even attended by citizens from neighbouring villages. The crib also adds to the atmosphere, it is always situated on the altar of the church, surrounded by freshly cut pines, especially collected for the event in the dark woods by barkeeper Christian Thion, and which fill the church with the lovely scent of pine